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The visitor put out his hand, but as I offered him the bombardon he waved it aside impatiently and pointed to the cornet. I passed it up to him; he patted and examined it for a while, laid it on his knee, and the two men began talking in low voices. "I could see that compliments were passing; but you'll guess I wasn't prepared for what followed.
I had left it, as you know, in the boat, and had heard no order given; but the boat I never saw again, and here was my bombardon. Hadji Hamid took it in both hands, felt it all over, patted it, and ended by turning it over to me and calling in dumb show for a tune. I tell you, my performance was a success.
I puzzled my head over this favour, until Aoodya explained. 'You see, she said, 'it was done to oblige the Hadji Hassan. This was the old man who had listened to my performance on the bombardon. He lived in a stockaded house on the far side of the island, the chieftancy of which he and Hamid shared between them and without dispute. "'How should it oblige Hassan? I asked.
"I'm not laughing at you, sergeant," cried Dick, earnestly. "Look here! it's a thing I have often noticed; but I never thought of applying it to you. Who are the two thinnest men in the band?" "Those two young chaps who play the trombones." "Exactly, and nearly all the fellows are thin. You learn to play the bombardon, and I'll be bound to say that it will pull you down."
"Morning," said Brumpton, rather gruffly, as he halted in front of Jerry, with his battered bombardon in his hand, evidently on his way from the band-room to the sergeants' quarters. "Any news? Ain't come back, I s'pose?" said Jerry. "No; he won't come back till he's brought," said Brumpton rather sternly. Then, suddenly, "I told you about my bit of a row with Wilkins?" Jerry nodded.
I stood there holding the bombardon, letting him go on, till all at once he told me that I was no more good in my company and I had come sneaking to the band to try and get taken on there, but that I was of no use at all, and he'd soon put a stop to my practising with the men; and that I was " Brumpton stopped, and wiped his face again. "Well, let's have it!" cried Jerry, excitedly.
"'Because Hassan could not see or hear my lord and lover without longing to possess such a man for his very own. As who could? And here she blew me a kiss. "'Thank you, jewel of my heart, said I; 'but yet I don't see. Was it me he wanted, or the bombardon? "'I fancy he thought of you together; but of course he did not ask for the big thing that would have been greedy.
"I've got an idea that I think will work, and, if it doesn't take down your fat, it would keep you from having to leave the regiment." The sergeant made a grab at Dick's hand. "What is it? What is it?" he panted. "Learn the bombardon!" The sergeant loosened his grasp, and sank back again. "You're laughing at me," he said, reproachfully; "and it comes hard from you, Dick Smithson."
Never had a civil word for him, and used to sneer at his playing; but, now Dick's gone, he's going on as if he couldn't spare him at no price." "How do you know who told you?" "The bombardon, sir." "The what? Why don't you say the big drum?" "Beg pardon, sir, I meant Sergeant Brumpton, the fa stout musician, sir, as is practising for the band."
At last I remember feeling sure I was bewitched, and with that I must have tumbled off the thwart in a sound sleep. "When I awoke I had both arms round the bombardon; there wasn't a sight of land, or of the ship, anywhere; and, if you please, the sun was near sinking! This time I managed to wake up O'Hara.
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